China: Powerful and Powerless

 

China: Powerful and Powerless

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Timothy Paul Smith

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In continuation with my blog about 'The Films that are Changing the World', Another statement made by the Human Rights Documentary Films Festival, by creating a category"China: Powerful and Powerless". 

China is a key world player and we must count on its influence increasing further. But despite excellent economic results and great technological advances, various population groups remain disadvantaged. The selected films show the effects of the one-child policy, the state’s inability to care for the needy, and the way in which people who speak out against the regime or do not fall within the Chinese norm are harassed. Other films include a documentary on China's growing influence abroad and a portrait of a family who tries to live according to Confucian rules.

1. A Tunnel

The Chinese project One Belt, One Road (a modern Silk Road) has reached even a remote Georgian village. What does it bring the locals in addition to the promised prosperity and a better standard of living?

2. China's Artful Dissident

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Director: Danny Ben-Moshe Australia, China, France, USA 2019 60 min. Language: English, French, Mandarin (Chinese) Subtitles: English, Chinese An anonymous Chinese artist is fighting against a totalitarian state that has already caught up with many of his colleagues. What can one person do against a seemingly omnipotent regime? The place of work of Badiucao, as the Chinese artist calls himself, is the social networks and streets of Australia, where he has fled from the Communist regime. His political drawings critiquing the Chinese government are spreading around the world thanks to his fans. To have a voice, a dissident must have no public name or face. Documentary filmmaker Danny Ben-Moshe came a few paces closer to him than others, yet Badiucao is careful not to reveal too much about himself so that the Chinese government cannot find him. If they did, he and his family would face severe punishment. But he is convinced that he could not live with himself were he to choose a comfortable life in silence.

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An anonymous Chinese artist is fighting against a totalitarian state that has already caught up with many of his colleagues. What can one person do against a seemingly omnipotent regime?

3. Leftover Women

Unmarried Chinese women of around 30 are labelled shengnu – leftover. Until they find a husband they face both the open contempt of the Chinese government and the stifling judgement of society and even their closest relatives.

4. Ximei

She herself is fighting an incurable disease, but has enough strength to help others. In China, which boasts economic success, but ostracises those with AIDS.